1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play begins in Westside Los Angeles, 1966. We are introduced to the narrator Brenda, and her family, all in her father's pharmacy with their regular customers, Big Mike and Aunti Mary.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion comes when Brenda is in school and her teacher asks her to be the "buddy" for the new kid in class, solely because they were both Asian. This brings out the underlying racism in the story, especially because Brenda didn't consider herself fully Asian and fitting the stereotype of "fresh off the boat". This shows us the Brenda is unsure of her identity and will continue to be unsure, changing throughout the play and making impulsive decisions that change our outlook on her.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of the play would be the riots at school. These riots lead to Brenda and Steven spending time together, while leads to the end of Kali and Brenda's relationship. This brings the play to fast forward into the future, giving a change in everything without full background of what went on in between.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Kali and Brenda stay together? What kind of future will they have? Kali and Brenda go separate paths, rekindle, and separate again. Brenda becomes a teacher and Kali becomes a drug dealer.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition is the most obvious one, which is Brenda's prologue. The prologue gives us a good idea of who Brenda is and what kind of situation she's in, the place she lives, the people she surrounds herself with, and how this affects her story. There is a second exposition when the plot fast forwards from high school, to adult life where she is a teacher and living on her own with Hai. Another exposition takes us to Brenda's life in San Francisco, a completely different environment. Each exposition brings us to a change in environment, living, relationships, and experiences. Each exposition is sort of a plot twist that affects the way the story runs.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play comes in the end when the men are in a shootout. It's the moment that every plot twist has led up to. There are any emotions and fear with Aunti Mary, Brenda, and the boys. This brings us the conclusion of death for Dreamer and Kali, Smoke leaving Sherri, and Brenda on her own once again. This is a very theatrical moment because it has the excitement and suspense factor with the violence and then the deciding factor that brings us the conclusion.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
This play has a few underlying themes. One of them is the theme of underlying racism, that is only put bluntly when Brenda is singled out by her teacher, there are race riots, and the Brenda singles out a girl in her class based on her race. It is a little toned down when Sherri asks her so many questions and rambles on about their differences. Another them is the confusion of adolescent life. Brenda faces many struggles with body image, boys, and the role of her race and family in her life. Brenda is a very dynamic character, showing a theme of everyone has a choice to change and decide their own identity for themselves. You can't control what other people think of you but you can make a choice of the kind of person you want to portray based on life choices. Another big them is the role of relationships and how they affect people, considering the entrance of Kali always creates a twist in the plot and a catalyst for impulsive decision making on Brenda's part.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
The play is rather vague on the wants and need of Brenda. One scene she wants Kali, another she wants Steven. One scene she wants to avoid Kali, the next she gives him a chance. One day she's in college, next she's dropped out. She seems to just be a very impulsive character, changing all the time. The only thing getting in the way of what she "wants" is herself. She is so impulsive that she almost doesn't even take the time to truly understand what she wants.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The first image that stands out the most to me in the riot scene. This scene is full of people hurting each other in a large mass of teams based on race. In this scene we can picture chaos with Brenda standing in the middle of it confused, not quite sure what side she is even on, like she's given a choice when Smoke writes the letters on her hand and Steven gives her the ring. Another image is when Brenda goes on a date with Kali and we see him in a new light, like he looks like a pimp in my imagination. He's usually got the stereotypical gang member look for the time, but now he looks rich, put together, and more sophisticated. This image also makes him a little suspicious. Another image that stands out a lot to me is the scene when Kali and Brenda are driving in San Francisco. It's a scene of total hysteria, while Brenda is terrified and Kali is just calm and drunk. I imagine bright lights flashing by and wind blowing through the characters' hair, which enhances the idea of their speed and Brenda's fear.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family plays a bigger role in the play in the beginning. Brenda works for her family and their business so everyone can be supported, but this is not that important to the plot considering that she doesn't even name all of her family members. When she does actually talk about her parents, it's like she is embarrassed of them and doesn't want them to define her as an individual. It's almost as if Aunti Mary was more of family to Brenda because she went in deeper explanation describing Mary and the way she is. Mary was a very loving mother figure to many boys and quickly brought in Brenda as one of her own, inviting her to events and feeding her. She was like a community mother figure.
The play begins in Westside Los Angeles, 1966. We are introduced to the narrator Brenda, and her family, all in her father's pharmacy with their regular customers, Big Mike and Aunti Mary.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion comes when Brenda is in school and her teacher asks her to be the "buddy" for the new kid in class, solely because they were both Asian. This brings out the underlying racism in the story, especially because Brenda didn't consider herself fully Asian and fitting the stereotype of "fresh off the boat". This shows us the Brenda is unsure of her identity and will continue to be unsure, changing throughout the play and making impulsive decisions that change our outlook on her.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of the play would be the riots at school. These riots lead to Brenda and Steven spending time together, while leads to the end of Kali and Brenda's relationship. This brings the play to fast forward into the future, giving a change in everything without full background of what went on in between.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Kali and Brenda stay together? What kind of future will they have? Kali and Brenda go separate paths, rekindle, and separate again. Brenda becomes a teacher and Kali becomes a drug dealer.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition is the most obvious one, which is Brenda's prologue. The prologue gives us a good idea of who Brenda is and what kind of situation she's in, the place she lives, the people she surrounds herself with, and how this affects her story. There is a second exposition when the plot fast forwards from high school, to adult life where she is a teacher and living on her own with Hai. Another exposition takes us to Brenda's life in San Francisco, a completely different environment. Each exposition brings us to a change in environment, living, relationships, and experiences. Each exposition is sort of a plot twist that affects the way the story runs.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play comes in the end when the men are in a shootout. It's the moment that every plot twist has led up to. There are any emotions and fear with Aunti Mary, Brenda, and the boys. This brings us the conclusion of death for Dreamer and Kali, Smoke leaving Sherri, and Brenda on her own once again. This is a very theatrical moment because it has the excitement and suspense factor with the violence and then the deciding factor that brings us the conclusion.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
This play has a few underlying themes. One of them is the theme of underlying racism, that is only put bluntly when Brenda is singled out by her teacher, there are race riots, and the Brenda singles out a girl in her class based on her race. It is a little toned down when Sherri asks her so many questions and rambles on about their differences. Another them is the confusion of adolescent life. Brenda faces many struggles with body image, boys, and the role of her race and family in her life. Brenda is a very dynamic character, showing a theme of everyone has a choice to change and decide their own identity for themselves. You can't control what other people think of you but you can make a choice of the kind of person you want to portray based on life choices. Another big them is the role of relationships and how they affect people, considering the entrance of Kali always creates a twist in the plot and a catalyst for impulsive decision making on Brenda's part.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
The play is rather vague on the wants and need of Brenda. One scene she wants Kali, another she wants Steven. One scene she wants to avoid Kali, the next she gives him a chance. One day she's in college, next she's dropped out. She seems to just be a very impulsive character, changing all the time. The only thing getting in the way of what she "wants" is herself. She is so impulsive that she almost doesn't even take the time to truly understand what she wants.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The first image that stands out the most to me in the riot scene. This scene is full of people hurting each other in a large mass of teams based on race. In this scene we can picture chaos with Brenda standing in the middle of it confused, not quite sure what side she is even on, like she's given a choice when Smoke writes the letters on her hand and Steven gives her the ring. Another image is when Brenda goes on a date with Kali and we see him in a new light, like he looks like a pimp in my imagination. He's usually got the stereotypical gang member look for the time, but now he looks rich, put together, and more sophisticated. This image also makes him a little suspicious. Another image that stands out a lot to me is the scene when Kali and Brenda are driving in San Francisco. It's a scene of total hysteria, while Brenda is terrified and Kali is just calm and drunk. I imagine bright lights flashing by and wind blowing through the characters' hair, which enhances the idea of their speed and Brenda's fear.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family plays a bigger role in the play in the beginning. Brenda works for her family and their business so everyone can be supported, but this is not that important to the plot considering that she doesn't even name all of her family members. When she does actually talk about her parents, it's like she is embarrassed of them and doesn't want them to define her as an individual. It's almost as if Aunti Mary was more of family to Brenda because she went in deeper explanation describing Mary and the way she is. Mary was a very loving mother figure to many boys and quickly brought in Brenda as one of her own, inviting her to events and feeding her. She was like a community mother figure.